Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say. They have a different meaning that you can learn and use when you talk or write. They make our language more fun and interesting. Let’s explore some classic idioms!
Classic Idioms
Here are 20 classic idioms in English with meaning and example sentence for each.
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation
Example: She told a joke to break the ice.
2. Hit the hay
Meaning: Go to bed
Example: It’s late, time to hit the hay.
3. Piece of cake
Meaning: Very easy
Example: The test was a piece of cake.
4. When pigs fly
Meaning: Never going to happen
Example: I’ll clean my room when pigs fly!
5. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example: That car costs an arm and a leg.
6. Feeling under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick
Example: I’m staying home, feeling under the weather.
7. Spill the beans
Meaning: Reveal a secret
Example: He spilled the beans about the surprise party.
8. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: Get something exactly right
Example: You hit the nail on the head with that idea.
9. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret accidentally
Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the trip.
10. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: Joke with someone
Example: I was just pulling your leg, don’t be mad.
11. Out of the blue
Meaning: Unexpectedly
Example: He called me out of the blue.
12. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Very common
Example: Ideas like that are a dime a dozen.
13. Beat around the bush
Meaning: Avoid the main topic
Example: Stop beating around the bush and tell me.
14. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Get to the point
Example: Just cut to the chase, what happened?
15. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: Worsen a situation
Example: His anger just added fuel to the fire.
16. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up late working
Example: I burned the midnight oil last night.
17. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: Solve two problems with one action
Example: Shopping while I walk the dog kills two birds.
18. On the ball
Meaning: Doing a good job
Example: Keep it up; you’re really on the ball.
19. Hit the road
Meaning: Start a journey
Example: It’s time to hit the road early tomorrow.
20. Miss the boat
Meaning: Miss an opportunity
Example: Hurry up or we’ll miss the boat.
